Artem Lobov

Artem Lobov vs. Andre Fili

Round 1
The featherweights trade low kicks before Lobov swings over the top and cracks Fili with a left hand, then a right. Fili circles to the right and walks into the power hand of the southpaw Lobov, who is working from the center of the cage in his upright stance. Fili is sticking some jabs of his own, using his long right arm to get inside and redden the nose of Lobov. Two minute in, Fili continues to cut angles and circle away from Lobov, who is having more difficulty finding the Team Alpha Male product. Another good jab snaps back the head of Lobov, who's cut around the outside of his left eye now. Fili tacks on a few leg kicks, smacks Lobov on the side of the head with a nice right hand. Lobov begins marching straight at Fili with arms hanging by his waist. Fili isn't taking the bait and continues to backpedal away. Inside the final 20 seconds, a massive head kick floors Lobov, who somehow recovers and powers back to his feet even as Fili tries to polish him off with punches.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Fili
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Fili
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Fili

Round 2
Lobov looks to have recovered from his late knockdown in round one, as he comes marching straight at Fili in the second stanza. Fili is still sticking to his game plan, circling off his back foot and picking at Lobov with leg kicks and jabs from distance. Lobov catches a body kick but can't trip Fili to the ground. Fili tries a double-leg but gets stood up by Lobov, who just keeps plodding forward, loading up and trying to knock off Fili's head with left hands. Lobov lands one over the top, but Fili just keeps moving. Fili's second shot of the round yields an easy takedown with 1:15 left on the clock. Referee Marc Goddard pauses the action and sends Lobov's unofficial cornerman, Conor McGregor, back to his seat. When action resumes, Lobov explodes back to his feet and holds Fili against the cage with double underhooks. Fili breaks out and backs away just before the horn, and Lobov taunts him with arms raised.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Fili
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lobov
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Fili

Round 3
Lobov kicks at the lead leg of Fili, who sniffs out the next low kick from the SBG Ireland fighter and converts it to another easy takedown. Fili passes to half guard on Lobov's right side, briefly considers an arm-triangle setup, then bails out when Lobov attacks his legs for an ankle lock. Lobov climbs back to his feet, only to be taken down again seconds later, this time planted on his back in the center of the cage with 3:00 remaining. Fili looks for the arm-triangle choke again, abandons it, then has to stand when Lobov grabs for his legs again. Another takedown goes for Fili, now with two minutes left in the bout. Lobov escapes to his feet 40 seconds later... and is taken down again. Fili is still looking for the arm-triangle but doesn't seem to be feeling any urgency with 30 seconds left. Fili stands up at the 10-second clapper and kicks at Lobov's legs, and that's where time runs out.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Fili (30-26 Fili)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Fili (29-27 Fili)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Fili (30-26 Fili)

The Official Result
Andre Fili def. Artem Lobov via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00